Volume 2: Environmental Impact Assessment TOTAL Upgrader Project Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Assessment Methods ...................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Structure of Discipline Sections ....................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.1 Setting .................................................................................................................. 2-1 2.2.2 Assessment Focus ................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2.3 Study Area ........................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2.4 Methods................................................................................................................ 2-2 2.2.5 Baseline Conditions ............................................................................................. 2-3 2.2.6 Effects Management – Project Design and Mitigation Measures ........................ 2-3 2.2.7 Project Residual Effects ....................................................................................... 2-3 2.2.8 Cumulative Effects Assessment ........................................................................... 2-4 2.2.9 Prediction Confidence .......................................................................................... 2-4 2.2.10 Climate Change Effects ....................................................................................... 2-4 2.2.11 Management and Monitoring ............................................................................... 2-4 2.3 Project Inclusion List ....................................................................................................... 2-5 2.4 Project Team .................................................................................................................. 2-12 List of Tables Table 2.3-1 Projects Included in the Assessment Cases ......................................................... 2-7 Table 2.3-2 Project Inclusion List ........................................................................................... 2-9 List of Figures Figure 2.3-1 Base and Planned Development Case Facilities Near the TOTAL Upgrader ................................................................................................ 2-6 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page i TOTAL Upgrader Project Volume 2: Environmental Impact Assessment Table of Contents December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. Page ii Volume 2: Environmental Impact Assessment TOTAL Upgrader Project Acronyms and Abbreviations Acronyms and Abbreviations EIA .................................................................................. environmental impact assessment FAP ........................................................................................................ Fort Air Partnership LSA .............................................................................................................. local study area RSA ........................................................................................................ regional study area TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page iii TOTAL Upgrader Project Volume 2: Environmental Impact Assessment Acronyms and Abbreviations December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. Page iv Volume 2: Environmental Impact Assessment TOTAL Upgrader Project Section 2: Assessment Methods 2 Assessment Methods 2.1 Introduction This section provides an overview of the methods used to complete the assessment of potential effects of the upgrader. This includes: • an explanation of the purpose and environmental assessment method followed in the discipline assessments • a description of the other projects and activities considered in the assessment of cumulative effects 2.2 Structure of Discipline Sections Most of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) discipline sections follow a common structure. The following outlines the general information presented under corresponding headings in the discipline sections. 2.2.1 Setting A brief description is provided of the region’s environmental setting relevant to the discipline. 2.2.2 Assessment Focus The assessment focus is a description of the issues that form the basis of what is assessed. These issues originate from the Alberta Environment Terms of Reference, public consultation, focus of assessments from other similar projects in the region and from experience of the discipline specialist conducting the assessment. 2.2.3 Study Area Assessments are conducted in a local study area (LSA) and regional study area (RSA), selected to reflect the area where upgrader-specific effects could occur. The study areas are discipline-specific, and the rationale for selection of the study area boundaries is provided in each of the discipline sections. The boundaries of these areas are affected by the general environmental setting of the region, key assessment issues, and spatial and temporal extent of upgrader effects. In addition, study areas were also defined by discrete (point) receptor locations required to support analysis in some disciplines. For more information on the receptor locations, see Section 2.2.3.3. 2.2.3.1 Local Study Area Upgrader-specific effects are addressed within an LSA. Most of the baseline data for a discipline were collected in the LSA. TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page 2-1 TOTAL Upgrader Project Volume 2: Environmental Impact Assessment Section 2: Assessment Methods 2.2.3.2 Regional Study Area The larger RSA provides context for the assessment of effects in the LSA, as well as the basis for identifying and assessing cumulative environmental effects from other land uses or projects with effects that potentially overlap with those of the upgrader. 2.2.3.3 Receptor Locations Discrete receptor locations in the vicinity of the upgrader were compiled for use in the air, noise, light and human health assessments. These disciplines chose relevant subsets of the locations for their analyses. The list includes the following receptor locations: • residences and communities • agricultural areas (e.g., farms) • industries and businesses • recreational areas • air quality monitoring stations Information on the location and ownership of discrete receptor locations was collected, when available, from an area within a 7.5-km radius (based on the human health LSA) around the upgrader site. Some communities and air quality monitoring stations were also included outside this area. Each receptor location is identified with a unique number. 2.2.4 Methods 2.2.4.1 General Approach Each discipline section includes a description of the method used to assess potential effects caused by the upgrader and by the upgrader combined with other human activities. This includes numerical models if used, or a qualitative approach using professional judgement. 2.2.4.2 Effects Characterization Each discipline section indicates if effects were characterized. Effects characterization is a description of an effect that assists the understanding of the meaning of assessment results through the use of effects descriptors. Effects descriptors include magnitude/extent, duration, seasonal timing, frequency, reversibility and environmental consequence. Effects were characterized for aquatic resources, terrain and soils, vegetation, wildlife and land use. These disciplines assessed effects on biological resources (fish, organic soils, plants, animals and use of the land by people), which directly or indirectly (i.e., through effects first on air or water) are receptors to project effects, and for which published thresholds do not exist or are readily available or applicable. December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. Page 2-2 Volume 2: Environmental Impact Assessment TOTAL Upgrader Project Section 2: Assessment Methods Effects were not characterized for air, noise, light, visibility, groundwater, hydrology, surface water quality, human health and historical resources. However, these disciplines did, to the extent possible and applicable, refer to published numerical thresholds (typically government guidelines) to compare with assessment results. Examples of these include: • criteria air emissions as ambient quality objectives • noise levels in the form of permissible sound levels • surface and groundwater quality as numerical guidelines • exposure risk related to human health (e.g., exposure due to air emissions) For the noise, light, visibility and human health assessments, although humans are receptors, the results of the analysis are most appropriately interpreted through comparisons with published values. 2.2.5 Baseline Conditions This section summarizes current environmental conditions, data collection methods and analytical procedures to characterize those conditions. For complete baseline information, see Environmental Baseline Studies provided on compact disc (CD) in a plastic sleeve insert inside the back cover of this Volume 2 binder. 2.2.6 Effects Management – Project Design and Mitigation Measures Design and mitigation measures for reducing potential environmental effects of the upgrader are presented in this section. Upgrader-specific mitigation measures can include design, construction and operations features, such as low-emission processes, water management plans and reclamation strategies. Upgrader-specific mitigation